09/05/2024
🐾Welcome to Our New Team Member Rosie! 🐾
Rosie the staghound is a certified Therapy Dog who works alongside Emma at The Shine Centre. Rosie and Emma have completed professional Therapy Dog Training, and Emma has also completed the Therapy Dogs Australia Clinical Course. Emma is a member of Animal Therapies Ltd, the peak professional body for animal-assisted services in Australia.
Rosie is a large but gentle girl who loves to run and play. She also understands the importance of rest and relaxation. Rosie will let you know she is ready for quiet time by taking a very deep breath, and loudly exhaling as she performs the perfect downward dog yoga pose.
When she is not busy at work, Rosie loves to run as fast as she can around the dog park and playing with her siblings (human, dog and cats).
About Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)
AAT is based on the well-researched human-animal bond. Human-animal interactions provide health benefits at every age and stage of life. Both people and animals benefit from positive interactions. For example, the simple act of patting a dog can increase oxytocin, the feel-good hormone for both dogs and people. Human-animal interactions have also been shown to reduce our levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. In the therapy setting, a dog like Rosie can reduce anxiety for children who are feeling unsure or apprehensive about coming to appointments.
AAT has been demonstrated to have positive impacts on children’s social, physical, emotional and cognitive development. Research has also shown that AAT can be beneficial when combined with traditional therapies for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
See www.habri.org for more information.
Rosie is available to participate in sessions with her handler Emma. Please let our administration team know if you do not want Rosie to be present in your child's sessions.